Written question WQ86382

The Welsh Government has long advocated the separate collection of recycled materials as this results in high-quality recycling, so that materials like plastic can be more effectively captured with lower levels of contamination, requiring reduced levels of sorting and processing to maintain food grade quality.

To further increase the quantity of high-quality recycled material in Wales, we are developing regulations that will bring business, public and third sector recycling in line with our successful household recycling system. In addition, the planned introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for drink containers will also support the increased provision of high-quality, food grade PET plastic bottles. The reforms will also mean ownership of the collected material will remain with the organisation operating the scheme, thereby encouraging greater closed loop recycling, with food grade PET plastic bottles being used for further food grade plastic bottles.

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility reforms for packaging materials the delivery of effective collection services, paid for by the producers, and underpinned by statutory recycling targets, will further incentivise the collection of high-quality materials and plastic.